Cornell University has hired a top former US law official. Sally Yates will lead an independent review of how the school handles sexual assault claims.

Yates was the US deputy attorney general from 2015 to 2017. She is now a partner at the law firm King & Spalding.

The review will look at Cornell’s response to a student’s claims. The student says she was gang-raped at a Chi Phi fraternity party in October 2024.

The student, named as Jane Doe in her lawsuit, has sued Cornell and seven fraternity members. She says the university failed to investigate properly.

Students held a mass rally on Monday in support of Jane Doe. They demanded stronger action against sexual violence on campus.

A special committee of the university’s board said Yates will have full independence. University president Michael Kotlikoff called the case a defining moment on October 3.

Yates has done this work before. The US Soccer Federation hired her to investigate abuse claims in the National Women’s Soccer League.